http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/09/08/ofcom_adds_area_code_for_your_neighbour/

So in some areas (not Sheffield yet) you will have to dial the full telephone number even for local calls, including the STD code.

I'm obviously missing the obvious but how does that actually help the fact we are running out of numbers? Surely when you dial a local number without the STD it just assumes you want the number with the same STD code as your own. I can understand having to introduce smaller STD code areas but how does making you dial the full number help?

I really don't get how it would help, but, due to being used to using a mobile for many years now, I always dial the STD code code when using the landline

Are we genuinely running out of numbers anyway? Can't they just make them 8 numbers long instead of 6 or 7? Sheffield is now being introduced with numbers beginning with 3 as opposed to the usual 2, and then we can have 4-9 to carry on with...

In the article, I found this part strange
"Starting in Bournemouth, people will have to dial the area code along with their 01 local number to stop the network confusing your Auntie Lynne's landline with a stranger's mobile number".

Aren't landline numbers and mobile numbers TOTALLY different?

Are we genuinely running out of numbers anyway? Can't they just make them 8 numbers long instead of 6 or 7? Sheffield is now being introduced with numbers beginning with 3 as opposed to the usual 2, and then we can have 4-9 to carry on with...

In the article, I found this part strange
"Starting in Bournemouth, people will have to dial the area code along with their 01 local number to stop the network confusing your Auntie Lynne's landline with a stranger's mobile number".

Aren't landline numbers and mobile numbers TOTALLY different?

Yes, most Landline STD codes, start 01, most Mobile numbers start 07.

But if I was ringing a mobile, it would be 11 digits starting with 07. Then I rang my Auntie Lynne, locally, it would be 7 digits starting with 2. Hows that getting mixed up?

I'm glad it's not just me. I've seen the story in a few places and they describe it like it makes perfect sense. I'm sure there is a good reason for it, or maybe it is described incorrectly in the news articles.

Surely when you dial a local number without the STD it just assumes you want the number with the same STD code as your own. I can understand having to introduce smaller STD code areas but how does making you dial the full number help?Here's my understanding:

Bournemouth numbers are 01202 xxxxxx.

Someone in Bournemouth dialling 118xxx wants to be connected to a Directory Enquiries number so at the moment (with local number only dialling allowed) numbers 01202 118xxx can't be used.

Also, someone in Bournemouth dialling a mobile number 07xxx xxxxxx doesn't want to be connected to a local number after dialling the first 6 digits. Therefore numbers 01202 07xxxx can't presently be used.

So, disallowing local number only dialling would make available an extra 1000 Bournemouth numbers in the first example and an extra 10000 in the second.

Hope this helps :-)

Couldn't Bournemouth just do what Sheffield did, and stick a 2 or 3 (4,5,6,7,8,9) in front of new numbers, going from 6 digits to 7, making a multitude of new possibilities?

Here's my understanding:

Bournemouth numbers are 01202 xxxxxx.

Someone in Bournemouth dialling 118xxx wants to be connected to a Directory Enquiries number so at the moment (with local number only dialling allowed) numbers 01202 118xxx can't be used.

Also, someone in Bournemouth dialling a mobile number 07xxx xxxxxx doesn't want to be connected to a local number after dialling the first 6 digits. Therefore numbers 01202 07xxxx can't presently be used.

So, disallowing local number only dialling would make available an extra 1000 Bournemouth numbers in the first example and an extra 10000 in the second.

Hope this helps :-)

That's it! I still think there are better ways of freeing up numbers but at least I can see it makes sense now. I knew there would be a simple answer I was missing. Thanks. :)

I didn't know you could still get phones with working dials!:hihi:

That's it! I still think there are better ways of freeing up numbers but at least I can see it makes sense now. I knew there would be a simple answer I was missing. Thanks. :)

Disabling the local dial system creates an extra 200,000 numbers - everything starting with 0 or 1. I assume that the authorities think this will amply cover Bournemouth's needs for the next few years.

Changing to a four-digit area code and seven-digit numbers, as with Sheffield, would create an extra seven million numbers even without disabling the local dial system. However, there is a limited number of available four-digit area codes, so they won't want to waste one on a town that only needs a few hundred thousand extra numbers.

Ah, that makes sense too, HeadingNorth. Its just not explained to the best it could be on any articles is it? x

Are we genuinely running out of numbers anyway? Can't they just make them 8 numbers long instead of 6 or 7? Sheffield is now being introduced with numbers beginning with 3 as opposed to the usual 2, and then we can have 4-9 to carry on with...

In the article, I found this part strange
"Starting in Bournemouth, people will have to dial the area code along with their 01 local number to stop the network confusing your Auntie Lynne's landline with a stranger's mobile number".

Aren't landline numbers and mobile numbers TOTALLY different?

I have a number beinging with 3. We use to have one starting with 2 untill some t*@ting company sold our number and we got sales people ringing.

we've had it for a few months now.